GOING OUT

Tim Badham is the nightlife columnist for City A.M., reporting on the best new bars and clubs to enjoy an elegant cocktail or glass of bubbles in London. Following a successful stint at Merrill Lynch, Tim spent a few years investigating the party scene both here and abroad before founding the London-based lifestyle concierge service Innerplace.

Tim Badham

AUTUMNAL launches have continued apace and you can now go one better than Patrick Bateman by dining at Dorsia, inspired by its unbookable namesake from Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho. Brainchild of ex-Boujis boys Fraser Carruthers and Nick Andreen, this impressive new South Ken members club is spread over three floors of the (ex-Firehouse) Georgian townhouse, encompassing a 40 cover restaurant with views across to the Natural History Museum, ground floor bar with adjoining courtyard and a basement nightclub. Flamboyant designer George Rose has spared no expense with this lavish refurbishment including raised ceilings, onyx bars with nano technology, marble staircases and a secret VIP room with honesty bar (and even the first Armani toilet in England!). With some of London’s top mixology minds onboard too there is quite a buzz about Dorsia.

Bateman himself would approve of licentious members club Cirque Du Soir, recently relocated to ex Alto/Umbaba site on Ganton Street. Maintaining its underworld allure, the new larger venue has a Circus style motif but it’s more Twin Peaks than Dumbo. On trend with decadent debauchery, the live acts are unique to the club including magicians, snake-charmers and fire throwers. There are two stages and giant glass boxes for performers but other cool features include arcade games, Candy Floss machines and funfair treats. This table-led club has a strict door but it’s sure to captivate the late-night, high-roller crowd.

For sharper lines, Bar 45 has recently opened at Wolfgang Puck’s new restaurant The Cut, inside the Dorchester Collection’s boutique hotel 45 Park Lane. With an immaculate and expensive finish, the intimate mezzanine level overlooks the restaurant and Hyde Park and features a spirit-organised drinks menu, sumptuous bar food and a gorgeous collection of artwork and photography. As one of the only bars in Mayfair open till 3am that you can just walk into (look chic and be in by 12.30), this high-gloss establishment is ideal for sophisticated late night cocktails.

Britain’s answer to Puck, Gordon Ramsay has opened his first City restaurant at One New Change in St Paul’s. Bread Street Kitchen’s dramatic space employs an industrial-chic warehouse aesthetic which makes this a very different Ramsey offering. It comes equipped with his first stand alone bar (open till midnight every day). Helmed by ex-Sanderson’s Mario Neziri it delivers delicious cocktails and 27 wines by the glass from their impressive “wine balcony” with over 2,000 bottles.

Tim Badham is the founder of Innerplace, London’s leading providers of VIP entertainment, including film premieres, fashion shows, launch parties and members club access. www.innerplace.co.uk